Tech Safety On Self Regulation Online

Tips on self-regulating your social media intake to avoid damaging your mental health.

Welcome to part 3 of the Tech Safety tips from a neurodivergent professional! Today let’s discuss the self-regulation of social media for your mental health.

Social media can be triggering. Sometimes reading posts or interacting with comments can cause anxiety, fear, and anger. In the end, it’s not the post’s fault that it upsets you because it is your responsibility to control what you view online.

Now, this does not excuse hate speech, triggering images, or harassment online. People are responsible for what they view and what they post online. It is a two-way street that can be hard to navigate when you are triggered. So here are some tips to help you self regulating what you view and what you post.

Unfollow triggering content

Even though the algorithms on social media give you suggestions on your FYP (for your page) you can choose to read or scroll past.

If you can, give feedback on your FYP by selecting “not interested” or “don’t show me this.” It takes time to get the recommendations you want, but being persistent will help the algorithm filter certain channels and topics.

Think before you post

If you are triggered by a post or in the comments don’t respond instantly. Your immediate reactions to a negative comment or post may be harsh or cruel. It is valid to be upset, but reacting in a negative way online makes the situation worse. Just because someone else is rude doesn’t give anyone permission to do the same.

Responding out of anger either gives trolls the reaction they want and inadvertently impacts your mental health.

Turn off comments on your posts

Harsh or harassing comments don’t have to stay on your post. If people are leaving terrible comments, turn the comments off.

Free speech doesn’t mean you must accept harassment from others.

Block harmful people

When you are being harassed in posts or DMS, block them. Just like people have the right to speak their minds, you have the right to not listen.

Mental health matters

Taking care of your emotional well-being is more important than being active on social media. Take a break, close your accounts, do what you need to be safe.

If social media is harming your mind, it may be time to pause it and give yourself time to breathe.